Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2021 for reaching this important milestone, despite the unprecedented challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Here you will find farewell messages from fellow graduating students and faculty, along with advice from alumni of the Department of French, Hispanic and Italian Studies. We hope this Virtual Yearbook helps you look back at your time at UBC with great fondness, and look forward to the future with excitement and optimism. Tuum Est.
Video Message from Faculty Members
View the full-length messages of Dr. Jon Beasley-Murray and Dr. Daniela Boccassini.
Alumni Advice
FHIS alumni from various fields share important advice for navigating the transition after graduation, along with their career journeys.
Dr. Javier Alvarez-Jaimes, Assistant Professor, Eastern Kentucky University (PhD in Hispanic Studies)
Dr. Fabricio Tocco, Assistant Professor, Australian National University (PhD in Hispanic Studies)
Christine Forster, Continuing Sessional Lecturer, University of Victoria (MA in Hispanic Studies)
Arash Farzaneh, College French Instructor (MA in French Studies)
Dr. Jorge Salvador Izquierdo, Humanities Instructor, Universidad de Las Américas (PhD in Hispanic Studies)
Diane Tijman, Faculty Advisor, University of British Columbia (Major in French)
Emil Murad, French and English Teacher (Minor in French)
Erika Jarowicz, French as a Second Language Teacher (Major in French)
Dr. Marcela Saldivia, World Languages Teacher (PhD in Hispanic Studies)
Jane Saborio, Professional Visual Artist (Major in French)
Gabriela Llanos, Realty Program Officer, Global Affairs Canada (Major in Spanish)
Avril Espinosa-Malpica, Senior Analyst and Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada (Minor in French)
Sarah Lewis, International Development (Honours in Romance Studies)
Tonia Ramogida, Federal Government/Public Service (Honours in French)
Benjamin Ralston, Lawyer & University Lecturer (Minor in Spanish)
Astghik Hairapetian, Law Clerk for a Federal Judge (Major in Spanish)
Graduating Class of 2021
French Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky
Thank you to all those who kept encouraging me to continue taking shots; to never give up. Thank you to all the amazing UBC professors who supported me throughout my journey. The FHIS department truly has some of the most incredible faculty members!
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Minor in English
Being a part of UBC had always been my dream. Words can't express how grateful I was when I received the offer. During my four years of university life, I have learned a lot from the professors, the students, and everyone in this big family. Today I am proud to say that I have graduated from one of the best universities in the world. Congrats to all grads 2021 and wish us a bright future ahead!
Bachelor of Arts
Major in English, Minor in French
Congratulations to all UBC FHIS graduates of 2021! We have successfully made it to graduation! I would like to thank my family and friends as well as my classmates and professors who made my achievements possible together. I never thought that I could learn French starting at university. I wish the best of luck to everyone for whatever comes in the next chapter of life and onwards. Merci tout le monde et bonne chance pour la suite !
Master of Arts
French Studies
Thesis: L’esthétique du raisonnement de Lancelot
Congratulations to the class of 2021! Thank you the department of FHIS where kindness and love never part with our intellectual quest. It has been a beautiful memory with all the professors and the students! My greatest gratitude to my supervisor Dr. Moran as well as my committee members Dr. Salamon and Dr. Boccassini. ☺️
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Minor in English
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Minor in English
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Psychology, Minor in French
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Major in Political Science
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Major in Spanish
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Psychology, Minor in French
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Minor in Commerce
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Speech Sciences, Minor in French
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Major in English
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Minor in English
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Major in International Relations
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Minor in Family Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Minor in English
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French
Bachelor of Arts
Major in English, Minor in French
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Major Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice, Minor in French
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Major in Linguistics
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Major in Psychology
Master of Arts
French Studies
Master of Arts
French Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Major in French, Major in Visual Arts
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Speech Sciences, Minor in French
Spanish Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Spanish, Minor in Italian
In bocca al lupo! It was a pleasure to go on this journey with all of you and I'll never forget the people and professors that made my degree so enjoyable and classes the highlight of my day. Thank you to everyone I've met along the way! "Nunca serás capaz de cruzar el océano hasta que pierdas de vista la costa."
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Spanish
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2021! A big thank you to my family for their love and support, and to all the incredible people I have met along the way. I’d like to give a special thank you to the FHIS Department, in particular the Spanish program. My undergraduate experience at UBC would not have been the same, had it not been for all the kindhearted, devoted and supportive Spanish students and professors. I am grateful to have been a part of this tight-knit community!
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Spanish, Major in Economics
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Spanish
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Spanish, Major in French
Master of Arts
Hispanic Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Sociology, Minor in Spanish
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Spanish, Major Geography
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Economics, Minor in Spanish
Bachelor of Arts
Major in International Relations, Minor in Spanish
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Spanish, Major in Political Science
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Political Science, Minor in Spanish
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Spanish, Minor in Latin American Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Spanish, Minor Asian Area Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Spanish
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Political Science, Minor in Spanish
Master of Arts
Hispanic Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Sociology, Minor in Spanish
Master of Arts
Hispanic Studies
Italian Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Spanish, Minor in Italian
In bocca al lupo! It was a pleasure to go on this journey with all of you and I'll never forget the people and professors that made my degree so enjoyable and classes the highlight of my day. Thank you to everyone I've met along the way! "Nunca serás capaz de cruzar el océano hasta que pierdas de vista la costa."
Bachelor of Arts
Honours in Art History, Minor in Italian
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Art History, Minor in Italian
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Speech Sciences, Minor in Italian
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Psychology, Minor in Italian
Latin American Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Major in International Relations, Minor in Latin American Studies
Never forget your roots, do something you’re curious and passionate about, and keep away from clichés. Many thanks to all who believed in me even in moments when I couldn’t believe in myself.
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Economics, Minor in Latin American Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Latin American Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Spanish, Minor in Latin American Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Latin American Studies, Major in Political Science